[go: up one dir, main page]

US7548366B2 - Electrophoretic display module and electrophoretic display device - Google Patents

Electrophoretic display module and electrophoretic display device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US7548366B2
US7548366B2 US11/468,446 US46844606A US7548366B2 US 7548366 B2 US7548366 B2 US 7548366B2 US 46844606 A US46844606 A US 46844606A US 7548366 B2 US7548366 B2 US 7548366B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
epd
laminate
casing
retentive
substrate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US11/468,446
Other versions
US20070103429A1 (en
Inventor
Yoshiki Takei
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
E Ink Corp
Original Assignee
Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Seiko Epson Corp filed Critical Seiko Epson Corp
Assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION reassignment SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TAKEI, YOSHIKI
Publication of US20070103429A1 publication Critical patent/US20070103429A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7548366B2 publication Critical patent/US7548366B2/en
Assigned to E INK CORPORATION reassignment E INK CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/165Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on translational movement of particles in a fluid under the influence of an applied field
    • G02F1/1675Constructional details
    • G02F1/1676Electrodes
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/165Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on translational movement of particles in a fluid under the influence of an applied field
    • G02F1/166Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on translational movement of particles in a fluid under the influence of an applied field characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect
    • G02F1/167Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on translational movement of particles in a fluid under the influence of an applied field characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect by electrophoresis
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/165Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on translational movement of particles in a fluid under the influence of an applied field
    • G02F1/1675Constructional details
    • G02F1/16753Structures for supporting or mounting cells, e.g. frames or bezels
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1345Conductors connecting electrodes to cell terminals

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electrophoretic display module that employs an electrophoresis phenomenon, in which charged particles are moved by an applied voltage, for forming images, or an electrophoretic display device that employs the electrophoretic display module, and more particularly, to an electrophoretic display module having a specific structure, in which an electrophoretic laminate is fixed to a casing, and an electrophoretic display device that employs the electrophoretic display module.
  • An electrophoretic display (EPD) device includes an electrophoretic laminate that employs an electrophoresis phenomenon in which particles dispersed in a solvent are moved by an applied voltage.
  • the EPD may employ a microcapsule type electrophoretic method, a horizontal movement type electrophoretic method, a vertical movement type electrophoretic method or the like.
  • the EPD device can be easily fabricated or treated as compared with a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. When the EPD device is bent, an image display quality is less influenced. Accordingly, the EPD devices are expected to be used for wrist watches, electronic devices, and operation display devices having curved exterior surfaces.
  • an EPD device includes first and second substrates spaced apart at a predetermined interval for preventing barrier ribs from breaking when the EPD device is bent and barrier ribs located around a pixel for maintaining the interval, in which the contact area between the barrier ribs and the second substrate is larger than that between the barrier ribs and the first substrate (see JP-A-2003-270674).
  • the positioning structure contacts the surface of the FPD unit, and a stress is applied to the contact portion to deteriorate the image display quality and reduce reliability of a sealing portion.
  • An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an electrophoretic display (EPD) module that does not apply a stress on an EPD laminate when the EPD laminate is fixed to a casing and has high display quality and electrical characteristics by improving reliability of a sealing portion and an EPD device that employs the EPD module.
  • EPD electrophoretic display
  • an EPD module including an EPD laminate, conductive portions made of indium tin oxide (ITO) layers located at both ends of the EPD laminate, a casing that encloses the EPD laminate, and retentive portions that are provided in the casing and retain the EPD laminate.
  • the retentive portions contact and retain at least a part of the conductive portions to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.
  • the conductive portions include notch portions formed by notching parts of the conductive portions, and the retentive portions contact and retain the notch portions to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.
  • an EPD device that employs the aforementioned EPD module.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a wrist watch used for an electrophoretic display (EPD) module according to a first embodiment.
  • EPD electrophoretic display
  • FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view of the EPD module according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view showing a structure in which a wrist watch is mounted in a casing that has curved surfaces according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a part of a wrist watch used for an EPD module according to a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a part of a wrist watch used for an EPD module according to a fourth embodiment.
  • An electrophoretic display (EPD) module includes an EPD laminate (or briefly referred to as laminate), conductive portions made of ITO layers which are located at both ends of the EPD laminate, a casing enclosing the EPD laminate, and retentive portions that are provided in the casing and retain the EPD laminate. The retentive portions contact and retain at least a part of the conductive portions to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.
  • EPD electrophoretic display
  • the laminate when the laminate is fixed to the casing, a stress is not applied to the laminate, and reliability of a sealing portion is improved so as to obtain the EPD module having high display quality and electrical characteristics.
  • the EPD module employs a structure in which the laminate includes the conductive portions at the both ends of the laminate, and the retentive portions retain not an EPD unit but the conductive portions to position the laminate with respect to the casing, a stress is not directly applied to a display surface of the EPD module. Accordingly, display anomaly is prevented, and the reliability of a sealing portion is improved.
  • the laminate can be positioned with respect to the casing in three directions, that is, one direction (perpendicular direction; z direction) perpendicular to an EPD plane and two EPD plane directions (parallel directions; x and y directions).
  • the retentive portion retains the conductive portions, and therefore a local stress due to elasticity of the laminate is applied to the conductive portions. Accordingly, the retentive portions do not directly contact the EPD plane, and the stress is not directly applied to the EPD plane.
  • the laminate is fixed to the casing without breaking exteriors.
  • the conductive portions are located at both ends of the laminate and located at different positions from the EPD unit, it is easy that the conductive portions are designed in a circumferential shape suitable for positioning or fixing.
  • the ITO layer denotes an indium tin oxide layer.
  • transparent electrodes are used, another material may be used.
  • the casing may be a case or container enclosing a part of or entire laminate.
  • the retentive portions contact and retain at least a part of the conductive portions, which means that the retentive portions may contact and retain one conductive portion or both conductive portions.
  • the retentive portions may contact and retain a part of or entire single conductive portion.
  • the conductive portions include notch portions formed by notching parts of the conductive portions, and the retentive portions contact and retain the notch portions to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.
  • the EPD device that employs the EPD module according to an embodiment of the invention can be applied to various electric devices that may have curved shapes.
  • the EPD device can be applied to electric devices such as wrist watches, electronic papers, electric bulletin boards, advertisement display panels, video cameras, televisions, large screens, mobile phones, personal computers, and personal digital assistants (PDA).
  • PDA personal digital assistants
  • a part of or entire EPD device may have curved shapes.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a wrist watch 20 used for an electrophoretic display (EPD) module according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view of the EPD module 1 in which the wrist watch 20 is mounted into a case 30 .
  • the wrist watch 20 includes an EPD laminate 2 , conductive portions 5 and 5 ′ made of ITO layers which are located at both ends of the laminate 2 , and a driving circuit unit 3 .
  • the laminate 2 includes an EPD unit 10 .
  • the EPD module 1 includes the wrist watch 20 , the case 30 that encloses the wrist watch 20 , and a retentive portion 6 that is located in the case 30 .
  • the driving circuit unit 3 is fixed to the laminate 2 by adhering to the conductive portion 5 ′.
  • the EPD laminate 2 includes a semiconductor substrate 21 , a transparent electrode substrate 23 , an EPD layer 22 located between the semiconductor substrate 21 and the transparent electrode substrate 23 , and a protection sheet (not shown) that encloses and seals the aforementioned elements.
  • the laminate 2 has flexibility.
  • the semiconductor 21 includes a flexible rear substrate as an insulating lower substrate that forms a circuit and a thin semiconductor circuit layer.
  • the transparent electrode substrate 23 includes a transparent substrate, on the lower surface of which there is formed a transparent electrode layer.
  • the transparent substrate is made of a transparent insulating synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyimide.
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • the transparent electrode layer is made of, for example, a tin-doped indium oxide layer.
  • the EPD layer 22 is located between the semiconductor circuit layer and the transparent electrode layer.
  • the EPD layer 22 includes a microcapsule that is made of a transparent resin and encloses an electrophoretic dispersion liquid.
  • the electrophoretic dispersion liquid includes a transparent insulating liquid, positively charged white particles, and negatively charged black pigments. The electrophoretic particles move in an electrophoretic dispersion medium according to an applied voltage.
  • the aforementioned elements are coated and sealed by an anaerobic or waterproof protection sheet through an adhesive.
  • the protection sheet is made of, for example, PET, methyl polymethacrylate, polycarbonate, or the like.
  • the retentive portion 6 contacts and retains the conductive portion 5 to position and retain the laminate 2 in the case 30 . As shown in FIG. 1 with a broken line, the retentive portion 6 contacts only the center portion of the conductive portion 5 . The retentive portion 6 retains not the EPD unit 10 but the conductive portion 5 that is located at an end of the laminate 2 .
  • the retentive portion 6 retains the conductive portion 5 and positions the laminate 2 with respect to the case 30 , a stress is not applied to the surface of the EPD unit 10 . Accordingly, display anomaly is prevented, and the reliability of a sealing portion is improved to obtain high display quality and electrical characteristics.
  • the laminate 2 can be positioned with respect to the case in three directions, that is, one direction (perpendicular direction; z direction) perpendicular to an EPD plane 10 and two EPD plane directions (parallel directions; x and y directions).
  • FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of the EPD module in which the wrist watch 20 is mounted into a case 30 ′ that has curved surfaces. Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the case 30 ′ has a curved shape.
  • the same elements as the elements of FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated descriptions about the elements will be omitted.
  • the laminate 2 is incorporated in the case 30 ′ along the curved surfaces, and the retentive portion 6 contacts and retains the conductive portion 5 to position the laminate 2 with respect to the case 30 ′
  • FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a part of a wrist watch 20 used for an EPD module according to the third embodiment.
  • the conductive portion 15 has two notch portions 17 , and the retentive portions 16 retains the notch portions 17 to position the laminate 2 ′ with respect to the case.
  • the two retentive portions 16 contact the notch portions 17 of the conductive portions 15 , respectively, to position the laminate 2 ′ with respect to the case that has a curved shape.
  • FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a part of a wrist watch 20 ′ used for an EPD module according to the fourth embodiment.
  • the conductive portion 25 has a notch portion at the center thereof, and the retentive portion 26 retains the notch portion 27 to position the laminate 2 ′′ in the case.
  • the retentive portion 26 contacts the V-shaped notch portion 27 of the conductive portion 25 to position the laminate 2 ′′ in the case.
  • the EPD module that mounts the flexible laminate in the case is described in the aforementioned embodiments, the invention is not limited to those embodiments.
  • the EPD module may mount a nonflexible laminate.
  • the EPD module may include a horizontal migration type or vertical migration type EPD layer.
  • the EPD module may be applied to another EPD device.
  • the EPD laminate when the EPD laminate is fixed to the casing, a stress is not applied to the laminate from the retentive portion. Therefore, the reliability of the sealing portion is improved, and the EPD module having high display quality and electrical characteristics and the EPD device that employs the EPD module can be provided.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Nonlinear Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Electrochromic Elements, Electrophoresis, Or Variable Reflection Or Absorption Elements (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

An electrophoretic display (EPD) module includes an EPD laminate, conductive portions made of ITO layers which are located at both ends of the EPD laminate, a casing that encloses the EPD laminate, and retentive portions that are provided in the casing and retain the EPD laminate, in which the retentive portions contact and retain at least a part of the conductive portions to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.

Description

BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an electrophoretic display module that employs an electrophoresis phenomenon, in which charged particles are moved by an applied voltage, for forming images, or an electrophoretic display device that employs the electrophoretic display module, and more particularly, to an electrophoretic display module having a specific structure, in which an electrophoretic laminate is fixed to a casing, and an electrophoretic display device that employs the electrophoretic display module.
2. Related Art
An electrophoretic display (EPD) device includes an electrophoretic laminate that employs an electrophoresis phenomenon in which particles dispersed in a solvent are moved by an applied voltage. The EPD may employ a microcapsule type electrophoretic method, a horizontal movement type electrophoretic method, a vertical movement type electrophoretic method or the like. The EPD device can be easily fabricated or treated as compared with a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. When the EPD device is bent, an image display quality is less influenced. Accordingly, the EPD devices are expected to be used for wrist watches, electronic devices, and operation display devices having curved exterior surfaces.
For example, an EPD device includes first and second substrates spaced apart at a predetermined interval for preventing barrier ribs from breaking when the EPD device is bent and barrier ribs located around a pixel for maintaining the interval, in which the contact area between the barrier ribs and the second substrate is larger than that between the barrier ribs and the first substrate (see JP-A-2003-270674).
In the past, when the EPD laminate is fixed to a casing, since the EPD laminate is positioned and retained on the surface of the EPD unit on which EPD is performed, the positioning structure contacts the surface of the FPD unit, and a stress is applied to the contact portion to deteriorate the image display quality and reduce reliability of a sealing portion.
In addition, when the EPD laminate is bent and fixed to the casing, stress is locally applied to the EPD laminate due to its own elasticity, and as a result, the image display quality or electrical characteristics deteriorate.
SUMMARY
An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an electrophoretic display (EPD) module that does not apply a stress on an EPD laminate when the EPD laminate is fixed to a casing and has high display quality and electrical characteristics by improving reliability of a sealing portion and an EPD device that employs the EPD module.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an EPD module including an EPD laminate, conductive portions made of indium tin oxide (ITO) layers located at both ends of the EPD laminate, a casing that encloses the EPD laminate, and retentive portions that are provided in the casing and retain the EPD laminate. The retentive portions contact and retain at least a part of the conductive portions to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.
In the above aspect of the invention, the conductive portions include notch portions formed by notching parts of the conductive portions, and the retentive portions contact and retain the notch portions to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an EPD device that employs the aforementioned EPD module.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a wrist watch used for an electrophoretic display (EPD) module according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view of the EPD module according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view showing a structure in which a wrist watch is mounted in a casing that has curved surfaces according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a part of a wrist watch used for an EPD module according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a part of a wrist watch used for an EPD module according to a fourth embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described. The following embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
An electrophoretic display (EPD) module includes an EPD laminate (or briefly referred to as laminate), conductive portions made of ITO layers which are located at both ends of the EPD laminate, a casing enclosing the EPD laminate, and retentive portions that are provided in the casing and retain the EPD laminate. The retentive portions contact and retain at least a part of the conductive portions to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.
According to the aforementioned structure, when the laminate is fixed to the casing, a stress is not applied to the laminate, and reliability of a sealing portion is improved so as to obtain the EPD module having high display quality and electrical characteristics.
That is, since the EPD module employs a structure in which the laminate includes the conductive portions at the both ends of the laminate, and the retentive portions retain not an EPD unit but the conductive portions to position the laminate with respect to the casing, a stress is not directly applied to a display surface of the EPD module. Accordingly, display anomaly is prevented, and the reliability of a sealing portion is improved.
In the aforementioned structure, the laminate can be positioned with respect to the casing in three directions, that is, one direction (perpendicular direction; z direction) perpendicular to an EPD plane and two EPD plane directions (parallel directions; x and y directions).
In case that the casing has curved surfaces, when the laminate is bent and fixed to the casing or left in the casing, the retentive portion retains the conductive portions, and therefore a local stress due to elasticity of the laminate is applied to the conductive portions. Accordingly, the retentive portions do not directly contact the EPD plane, and the stress is not directly applied to the EPD plane.
In a structure in which the conductive portions made of ITO layers are located at positions that are hidden by the casing, the laminate is fixed to the casing without breaking exteriors.
Since the conductive portions are located at both ends of the laminate and located at different positions from the EPD unit, it is easy that the conductive portions are designed in a circumferential shape suitable for positioning or fixing.
The ITO layer denotes an indium tin oxide layer. When transparent electrodes are used, another material may be used.
The casing may be a case or container enclosing a part of or entire laminate.
The retentive portions contact and retain at least a part of the conductive portions, which means that the retentive portions may contact and retain one conductive portion or both conductive portions. When the retentive portions contact and retain the single conductive portion, the retentive portions may contact and retain a part of or entire single conductive portion.
The conductive portions include notch portions formed by notching parts of the conductive portions, and the retentive portions contact and retain the notch portions to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.
The EPD device that employs the EPD module according to an embodiment of the invention can be applied to various electric devices that may have curved shapes. For example, the EPD device can be applied to electric devices such as wrist watches, electronic papers, electric bulletin boards, advertisement display panels, video cameras, televisions, large screens, mobile phones, personal computers, and personal digital assistants (PDA). A part of or entire EPD device may have curved shapes.
Hereinafter, the embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a wrist watch 20 used for an electrophoretic display (EPD) module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side cross sectional view of the EPD module 1 in which the wrist watch 20 is mounted into a case 30.
As shown in FIG. 1, the wrist watch 20 includes an EPD laminate 2, conductive portions 5 and 5′ made of ITO layers which are located at both ends of the laminate 2, and a driving circuit unit 3. The laminate 2 includes an EPD unit 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the EPD module 1 includes the wrist watch 20, the case 30 that encloses the wrist watch 20, and a retentive portion 6 that is located in the case 30. The driving circuit unit 3 is fixed to the laminate 2 by adhering to the conductive portion 5′.
The EPD laminate 2 includes a semiconductor substrate 21, a transparent electrode substrate 23, an EPD layer 22 located between the semiconductor substrate 21 and the transparent electrode substrate 23, and a protection sheet (not shown) that encloses and seals the aforementioned elements. The laminate 2 has flexibility.
The semiconductor 21 includes a flexible rear substrate as an insulating lower substrate that forms a circuit and a thin semiconductor circuit layer.
The transparent electrode substrate 23 includes a transparent substrate, on the lower surface of which there is formed a transparent electrode layer. The transparent substrate is made of a transparent insulating synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyimide. The transparent electrode layer is made of, for example, a tin-doped indium oxide layer.
The EPD layer 22 is located between the semiconductor circuit layer and the transparent electrode layer. The EPD layer 22 includes a microcapsule that is made of a transparent resin and encloses an electrophoretic dispersion liquid. The electrophoretic dispersion liquid includes a transparent insulating liquid, positively charged white particles, and negatively charged black pigments. The electrophoretic particles move in an electrophoretic dispersion medium according to an applied voltage.
The aforementioned elements are coated and sealed by an anaerobic or waterproof protection sheet through an adhesive. The protection sheet is made of, for example, PET, methyl polymethacrylate, polycarbonate, or the like.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the wrist watch 20 is mounted in the case 30, the retentive portion 6 contacts and retains the conductive portion 5 to position and retain the laminate 2 in the case 30. As shown in FIG. 1 with a broken line, the retentive portion 6 contacts only the center portion of the conductive portion 5. The retentive portion 6 retains not the EPD unit 10 but the conductive portion 5 that is located at an end of the laminate 2.
Since the retentive portion 6 retains the conductive portion 5 and positions the laminate 2 with respect to the case 30, a stress is not applied to the surface of the EPD unit 10. Accordingly, display anomaly is prevented, and the reliability of a sealing portion is improved to obtain high display quality and electrical characteristics.
In the aforementioned structure, the laminate 2 can be positioned with respect to the case in three directions, that is, one direction (perpendicular direction; z direction) perpendicular to an EPD plane 10 and two EPD plane directions (parallel directions; x and y directions).
Second Embodiment
FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of the EPD module in which the wrist watch 20 is mounted into a case 30′ that has curved surfaces. Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the case 30′ has a curved shape. In FIG. 3, the same elements as the elements of FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated descriptions about the elements will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 3, when the wrist watch 20 is mounted into the case 30′ that has the curved surfaces, the laminate 2 is incorporated in the case 30′ along the curved surfaces, and the retentive portion 6 contacts and retains the conductive portion 5 to position the laminate 2 with respect to the case 30
When the flexible laminate 2 is bent and mounted or fixed into the case 30′, a local stress due to elasticity of the laminate 2 is applied not to the surface of the EPD unit, but to the conductive portion 5. Accordingly, display anomaly is prevented, and the reliability of a sealing portion is improved to obtain high display quality and electrical characteristics.
Third Embodiment
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a part of a wrist watch 20 used for an EPD module according to the third embodiment. Unlike the second embodiment, in the third embodiment, in the laminate 2′, the conductive portion 15 has two notch portions 17, and the retentive portions 16 retains the notch portions 17 to position the laminate 2′ with respect to the case.
As shown in FIG. 4, the two retentive portions 16 contact the notch portions 17 of the conductive portions 15, respectively, to position the laminate 2′ with respect to the case that has a curved shape.
Accordingly, in the embodiment, when the flexible laminate 2′ is bent and mounted or fixed into the case, a local stress due to electricity of the laminate 2′ is applied not to the surface of the EPD unit 10, but to the notch portions 17. Accordingly, display anomaly is prevented, and the reliability of a sealing portion is improved to obtain high display quality and electrical characteristics.
Fourth Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a part of a wrist watch 20′ used for an EPD module according to the fourth embodiment. Unlike the second embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, in the laminate 2″, the conductive portion 25 has a notch portion at the center thereof, and the retentive portion 26 retains the notch portion 27 to position the laminate 2″ in the case.
As shown in FIG. 5, the retentive portion 26 contacts the V-shaped notch portion 27 of the conductive portion 25 to position the laminate 2″ in the case.
Accordingly, in the embodiment, when the flexible laminate 21′ is bent and mounted or fixed into the case, a local stress due to electricity of the laminate 211 is applied not to the surface of the EPD unit 10, but to the notch portions 27. Accordingly, display anomaly is prevented, and the reliability of a sealing portion is improved to obtain high display quality and electrical characteristics.
Even though the EPD module that mounts the flexible laminate in the case is described in the aforementioned embodiments, the invention is not limited to those embodiments. The EPD module may mount a nonflexible laminate.
In addition, even though the EPD module that includes a microcapsule type EPD layer is described in the aforementioned embodiments, the invention is not limited to those embodiments. The EPD module may include a horizontal migration type or vertical migration type EPD layer.
In addition, even though the case where the EPD module is applied to the wrist watch is described in the aforementioned embodiments, the EPD module may be applied to another EPD device.
According to an embodiment of the invention, when the EPD laminate is fixed to the casing, a stress is not applied to the laminate from the retentive portion. Therefore, the reliability of the sealing portion is improved, and the EPD module having high display quality and electrical characteristics and the EPD device that employs the EPD module can be provided.
The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-326631, filed Nov. 10, 2005 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Claims (6)

1. An electrophoretic display (EPD) module comprising:
an EPD laminate including:
a first substrate having a thin film circuit and a first major surface;
a second substrate having an electrode and a second major surface opposite the first major surface;
an EPD layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate; and
a conductive portion located between the first substrate and the second substrate, the conductive portion being spaced apart from the EPD layer and electrically connecting the thin film circuit and the electrode, the conductive portion having end faces defined by the first and second major surfaces; and
a casing that encloses the EPD laminate, the casing having a retentive portion that retains the EPD laminate,
wherein the retentive portion contacts and retains at least a part of the end faces of the conductive portion to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.
2. The EPD module according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion includes notch portions formed by notching the part of the end faces, and the retentive portion contacts and retains the notch portions to position the EPD laminate with respect to the casing.
3. An EPD device that employs the EPD module according to claim 1.
4. The EPD module according to claim 1, wherein the retentive portion retains the part of the end faces in both transverse and longitudinal directions of the EPD laminate.
5. The EPD module according to claim 1, wherein the casing includes a rear frame that includes a cavity, and a display-side frame that is supported within the cavity and includes the retentive portion, and wherein the EPD laminate is positioned between the rear frame and the display-side frame within the cavity.
6. The EPD module according to claim 5, wherein the retentive portion retains the part of the end faces in both transverse and longitudinal directions of the EPD laminate.
US11/468,446 2005-11-10 2006-08-30 Electrophoretic display module and electrophoretic display device Active 2027-01-12 US7548366B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2005326631A JP2007133182A (en) 2005-11-10 2005-11-10 Electrophoretic display module and electrophoretic display device
JP2005-326631 2005-11-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20070103429A1 US20070103429A1 (en) 2007-05-10
US7548366B2 true US7548366B2 (en) 2009-06-16

Family

ID=38003264

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/468,446 Active 2027-01-12 US7548366B2 (en) 2005-11-10 2006-08-30 Electrophoretic display module and electrophoretic display device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US7548366B2 (en)
JP (1) JP2007133182A (en)
KR (1) KR100765403B1 (en)
CN (1) CN100538491C (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090122653A1 (en) * 2007-11-08 2009-05-14 Seiko Epson Corporation Display Device and Timepiece
US20110007382A1 (en) * 2009-07-09 2011-01-13 Jiangsu Lexvu Electronics Co., Ltd. Colored electrophoretic display

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWI356963B (en) 2007-12-18 2012-01-21 Prime View Int Co Ltd Electrophoretic display device
JP5277862B2 (en) * 2008-03-21 2013-08-28 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Electrophoretic display device
US8576209B2 (en) 2009-07-07 2013-11-05 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Display device
TWI463234B (en) * 2012-01-05 2014-12-01 Star Reach Corp Electrophoretic display module and manufacturing method thereof
WO2017006994A1 (en) * 2015-07-09 2017-01-12 シャープ株式会社 Active matrix substrate, display device and production method

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003270674A (en) 2002-03-19 2003-09-25 Canon Inc Electrophoretic display device
US6655788B1 (en) * 2002-05-17 2003-12-02 Viztec Inc. Composite structure for enhanced flexibility of electro-optic displays with sliding layers
US6909532B2 (en) * 2002-04-24 2005-06-21 Sipix Imaging, Inc. Matrix driven electrophoretic display with multilayer back plane

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5314599A (en) * 1976-07-26 1978-02-09 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Display device
JPS59112218U (en) * 1983-01-18 1984-07-28 シチズン時計株式会社 Support structure of electro-optical display device
JP4003389B2 (en) * 2000-11-01 2007-11-07 富士ゼロックス株式会社 Image display device
JP4051956B2 (en) * 2001-02-22 2008-02-27 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Method for manufacturing electrophoresis apparatus and method for manufacturing electronic apparatus
JP2004012949A (en) 2002-06-10 2004-01-15 Canon Inc Electrophoretic display
KR101035162B1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2011-05-17 엘지디스플레이 주식회사 Upper case and digital paper display device using the same

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003270674A (en) 2002-03-19 2003-09-25 Canon Inc Electrophoretic display device
US6909532B2 (en) * 2002-04-24 2005-06-21 Sipix Imaging, Inc. Matrix driven electrophoretic display with multilayer back plane
US6655788B1 (en) * 2002-05-17 2003-12-02 Viztec Inc. Composite structure for enhanced flexibility of electro-optic displays with sliding layers

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090122653A1 (en) * 2007-11-08 2009-05-14 Seiko Epson Corporation Display Device and Timepiece
US8194222B2 (en) 2007-11-08 2012-06-05 Seiko Epson Corporation Display device and timepiece
US8873015B2 (en) 2007-11-08 2014-10-28 Seiko Epson Corporation Display device and timepiece comprising a wiring board layered on a back surface of a back substrate
US20110007382A1 (en) * 2009-07-09 2011-01-13 Jiangsu Lexvu Electronics Co., Ltd. Colored electrophoretic display
US8270065B2 (en) 2009-07-09 2012-09-18 Shanghai Lexvu Opto Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. Colored electrophoretic display

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN100538491C (en) 2009-09-09
US20070103429A1 (en) 2007-05-10
KR100765403B1 (en) 2007-10-12
JP2007133182A (en) 2007-05-31
CN1963653A (en) 2007-05-16
KR20070050346A (en) 2007-05-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8736951B2 (en) Electrophoretic display device and electronic apparatus
US7829795B2 (en) Electrophoretic display sheet, electrophoretic display device, and electronic apparatus
CN100412665C (en) Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
US7548366B2 (en) Electrophoretic display module and electrophoretic display device
KR101247680B1 (en) Electrophoretic Display Device and Method for Manufacturing thereof
US11131892B2 (en) Display device
KR20130024097A (en) Flexible display device and method for manufacturing the same
KR20090101838A (en) Mounting structure, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
JP2007219503A (en) Electrophoretic display sheet, electrophoretic display device, and electronic apparatus
JP2023083429A (en) Display device
US20180373091A1 (en) Display panel
JP5028799B2 (en) Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
KR101667055B1 (en) Display Device And Manufacturing Method Of The Same
JP3427729B2 (en) Liquid crystal display device, substrate for liquid crystal display device, and method of manufacturing the same
KR101363341B1 (en) Electrophoretic Display Device and Method for Manufacturing thereof
CN101308309B (en) Electronic ink display panel
KR20100007612A (en) Display device
JP2010186025A (en) Electrophoretic display device and electronic device
KR20050063587A (en) Liquid crystal display device having conductive layer for elliminating electro-static charge
KR20110015931A (en) Electrophoretic display
KR20050114969A (en) Liquid crystal display device for preventing a static electricity

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TAKEI, YOSHIKI;REEL/FRAME:018189/0869

Effective date: 20060711

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

AS Assignment

Owner name: E INK CORPORATION, MASSACHUSETTS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:047072/0325

Effective date: 20180901

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 12TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1553); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 12